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transformer question

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beefmalone
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Raymond, MS, CSA
  • 94 posts
transformer question
Posted by beefmalone on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 9:05 PM
This may be obvious...but do you guys leave your transformers plugged in when you aren't running the trains? I have an old Lionel postwar set and a new(er) kline set with the 120w transformer. Just wondering.
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Anonymous
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    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 9:09 PM
They are plugged ino a power strip. I cut power to the power strip when I'm not playing with my trains.
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MartyE
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posted by MartyE on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 9:13 PM
Never...Everything goes off with a switch.

Trying to update my avatar since 2020 Laugh

MartyE and Kodi the Husky Dog! ( 3/31/90-9/28/04 ) www.MartyE.com My O Gauge Web Page and Home of Kodiak Junction!

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lionelsoni
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    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
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Posted by lionelsoni on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 9:13 PM
Not intentionally...;-)

Bob Nelson

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dwiemer
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Southwest Georgia
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Posted by dwiemer on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 9:15 PM
One big reason for not leaving it plugged in is the recent posts regarding fires on the layout. With all the wires and accessories we add to our sets, and the high value we place in these, and never mind the safety to our families, I think just cutting the power to the transformer is one of the easiest and safest things we can do. If you are building a large layout with lots of power use, you may want to have a dedicated electrical circuit with a switch that you can cut power to the whole thing.
Dennis

TCA#09-63805

 

Charter BTTs.jpg

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prewardude
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Western Pennsylvania
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Posted by prewardude on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 9:18 PM
I never leave mine plugged in.
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Buckeye Riveter
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Jelloway Creek, OH - Elv. 1100
  • 7,578 posts
Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 10:08 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by chuckn

They are plugged ino a power strip. I cut power to the power strip when I'm not playing with my trains.

[#ditto]

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

TCA 09-64284

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Anonymous
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 10:34 PM
Many of these transformers are 50 years old and I always turn them off when not in use. They get warm even when on 0 voltage and no load.

I have a rat shack keyed switches with light indicators on my control panels to tell me when the switch is on. The key was for train board control when my kids were small!

Charlie
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jimhaleyscomet
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Southwest of Houston. TX
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Posted by jimhaleyscomet on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 8:25 AM
I have a power strip also. I go to 0 volts on my DCS,return the handles to the off postion, and turn the power strip off.

Jim H
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laz 57
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
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Posted by laz 57 on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 9:22 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

QUOTE: Originally posted by chuckn

They are plugged ino a power strip. I cut power to the power strip when I'm not playing with my trains.

[#ditto]


NO POWER WHEN NOT IN USE
laz57
There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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wrmcclellan
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: North Texas
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Posted by wrmcclellan on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 9:27 AM
[#ditto][#ditto][#ditto]

Regards, Roy

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spankybird
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Willoughby, Ohio
  • 5,231 posts
Posted by spankybird on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 9:31 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by chuckn

They are plugged ino a power strip. I cut power to the power strip when I'm not playing with my trains.


[#ditto]

me too [;)]

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

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csxt30
  • Member since
    December 2004
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Posted by csxt30 on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 2:46 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by spankybird

QUOTE: Originally posted by chuckn

They are plugged ino a power strip. I cut power to the power strip when I'm not playing with my trains.


[#ditto]

me too [;)]

That's exactly what I do, plus I have a water hose near the layout, in case of fire ! [:D]
( just kidding about the water hose ! )
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